A sword signed“BushuEdoJuNagakuni,Kanbun 6th Year, 1st Month, 6th Day, YamanoKanjuroHisahideFutatsu Do Kiritoshi.”Itcomes withaTokubetsuHozoncertificateconfirmingitsauthenticity. The blade has passed the “two-body test,” and since it bearstheso-called“fullsignature” from that test,it is a unique piece onthe Polishantiquemarket.
The swordwas exhibited at the Japanese SAMURAI WEEKEND fair at the prestigious Jabłkowski Brothers House in Warsaw onJune 7–8 at theIkikata Art gallery booth. As you will learn from the description below, this pieceis a true masterpiece of craftsmanship. This katana will be one of thetwo highlight lots at this year’s auction .
The swordwasforgedbyKawachi No KamiNagakuni and bears his signature. Thenakagoalso features an inscription in gold detailing the cutting test that was performed:on March 6, 1666,YamanoKanjuroHisahide cut through two bodies with it.
According to historical sources,the blacksmith known asNagakuniwas active between1661 and 1673. He worked in the provinceof Musashi ( Higo). The cutting test with this sword,however,was performed byKanjuroHisahide. He was one of the first official sword testers employed bythe shogunate, for which he worked beginning in 1685. The sword is therefore dated to theEdoperiod, as is itskoshirae(fittings).
The tsuba,fuchi, and kashiraare made of shakudo and feature a motif of a gilded dragon amidst waves.The tsubais oval-shaped with holes forthe kogai and kozuka. High-qualitymenukifeaturing the Buddhist symbol of the vagira, crafted from solidgold.The sayakojiritip,kurikatai cap, andkoiguchientrance tothe saya are made of buffalo horn.The habaki is made of copper and coated with a layerof silver. The sword scabbard is made of magnolia wood, coatedwithurushilacquer, and thenintricatelytextured to resemble tree bark.The scabbard is fastened withasimple,black, silksageo. The sword’s hilt (tsuka) is covered with stingray leather and wrapped in black silk ito in thekatahineri maki style.
Dimensions:nagasa ( blade length):63cm,blade length from the tsuba:65cm,mune-machi ( thickness of the blade spine at the hilt): 0.7cm, blade widthatthe habaki:2.9cm,blade width atthe kissaki: 2.4cm,sword curvature(sorii):2.2cm
Thenakagotangis signedon both sides, with gold on one side, and has one hole. Totallengthof the shirasaya:90.8cm,length of theshirasayahilt:22.2cm,length of thesayascabbard:67.5cm,length of the mount hilt:22cm
